Shelf styling is one of our team’s favorite decorating techniques, but it’s also one of the trickiest.

We get questions about the process all the time, and although we’ve been doing it for years, we know how daunting it can be!

If you’re thinking about updating your shelfie or creating a styled shelf for the first time, keep scrolling for some inspiration!

Here’s our go-to shelf styling process:

Step 1: Create a blank canvas

No matter what kind of shelves we’re styling, we always empty our shelves first and everything out. That way, we can start fresh and see the space we’re working with in a new light. A blank canvas is helpful when styling anything, but in our opinion, especially built-ins!

Take a mental inventory of what you’re working with. Start envisioning what pieces of decor you want to place next to each other and how you want to create groupings. What products do you want to be seen first? Is there anything missing? Anything you don’t want to include?

Pro tip: Take a photo of your before and after to see your progress. If you’re trying to build a design portfolio, don’t be afraid to share it on social media! Everyone loves a good before and after shot.

Step 2: Consider what you’re working with

Once you have cleared everything from your shelves, look at what you already have, and start grouping your objects by size. This process makes it easier once you start styling, and it helps you to see the common thread in your pieces and consider what you may want to add to your collection.

Step 3: Ground the look with substantial pieces.

Start by using your largest items first to create focal points to style around. Vases, baskets, bowls, art, or other large decor items are perfect for adding substance and visual weight to a built-in.

We typically like to stagger these items so that they don’t stack on top of each other and are not right next to each other, which helps create balance!

Stylist secret: It helps to place all of your similar objects at the same time. For example, style all of your vases, then your baskets, etc.

Step 4: Start to create groupings with your smaller items.

This next step can be the hardest part of the process, but also the most rewarding! We love to create groupings with our medium and small objects to fill in the spaces that our large pieces don’t occupy.

Stacking books, adding in boxes, and pairing two similar elements together are some of our favorite go-to’s. This is also the perfect time to add personal touches like family photos or collected objects to make it your own!

Step 5: Step back and evaluate, add and subtract

Once you’re happy with the general idea of what you have created, step back, and evaluate! Don’t be afraid to add, subtract, or start entirely from scratch if the final product isn’t speaking to you. Remember, sometimes pivots lend the best results!